Belarusian publishers Nadia Kandrusevich of Koska and Dmitri Strotsev of Hochroth Minsk were jointly awarded the 2025 International Publishers Association’s Prix Voltaire, the freedom to publish prize, at the award ceremony at the World Expression Forum in Lillehammer, Norway.
The publishers, exiled in Poland and Germany, respectively, were recognised for their commitment to publishing despite threats, harassment and ultimately having to flee Belarus.
Nadia Kandrusevich was unable to attend the ceremony but shared the following statement: “Thank you for the great honor of receiving the Prix Voltaire. This recognition affirms not only the importance of publishing and translating books for children but the belief in the quiet power of words to shape minds, to open hearts, and to build bridges across languages, cultures, and generations. The belief that even the smallest readers deserve stories that speak truth, nurture imagination, and offer a mirror—or a window—into the world. This award belongs to all the translators, publishers, and writers who keep working despite all circumstances. To all the children who read or listen to bedtime stories and to all the parents who believe in the power of a good book.”
Accepting the 2025 IPA Prix Voltaire at the ceremony, Dmitri Strotsev delivered his speech in Belarusian. He said: “In March 2022, I left for the West with one small suitcase. I was fleeing political persecution, but I was also preparing for a new mission — to use thirty years of publishing experience to create a free Belarusian publishing house in exile.
“Today, about thirty Belarusian publishing houses have re-emerged or restored their work in exile, and we are all closely connected. We have a publishing community.
I would like to thank the International Publishers Association for the Voltaire Prize. This is important support for the Belarusian democratic resistance, this is an open invitation to Belarusian independent publishers to join the global publishing family.”
Kristenn Einarsson, Chair of the IPA’s Freedom to Publish Committee said: “Each year we have strong shortlists and over the years we have covered every region. The freedom to publish is challenged everywhere. We received a worrying number of nominations this year. Their stories are sometimes unknown outside of their countries or regions, but their bravery is no less great. That our laureates must continue publishing in exile as a consequence of their commitment to the freedom to publish deserves our respect and recognition.”
